Cisnădie is a town in Sibiu County, Transylvania, Romania located approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Sibiu. One village, Cisnădioara (Michelsberg; Kisdisznód), is administered by the town.

Sights

The most important architectural sight of Cisnădie is the fortified complex located in the town center. Originally built in the 12th century as a Romanesque basilica, the church was fortified during the 15th century, after the 1493 Turkish invasion, to protect the local population of Saxons against repeated Ottoman raids. The fortification process included the construction of fortified towers over the two side entrances and the choir, the building of a double structure of defence walls, a moat and several defensive towers along the walls. Simultaneously to the fortification work the church itself suffered a gothicization process. The altar inside the Lutheran church, which forms the center of this complex, is a wing altar/triptych from 1520, realized by the school of Veit Stoss Jr.

The complex is very well preserved and besides being a medieval architectural place of interest, it offers a variety of theme exhibitions:

• the “Cisnădie/Heltau throughout 12 centuries” Museum located over the old Ossarium
• the Museum of Medieval Defensive Structures located in the northern side tower
• the Museum of the History of the Communist Era
• some alternating Art Expositions.